Day 14 - Back to Malaysia

This morning, we had a wonderful worship service in Agape. I thought there will be only a few of us coming to church because most of our members have gone back to their hometown. Yet, quite a number turn up in today service.

We have a wonderful time fellowship after the service, and Sothy brought me out for lunch. We went to a Taiwanese restaurant and have some Chinese food.

Then by 2.00pm, they send me to the airport. Everything went smoothly. But as you can guess it, the flight delay for an hour. So, I waited there from 3.00pm till 5.00pm before I step into the plane.

When reach Malaysia, the weather is not too good. Heavy rain in the airport. Anyway, by God's mercy, we landed safely. I got down and pass through the customs without any problem. In my bags were 8 mangoes and 2 back of rice.

Then finally I meet my family. Complete my mission in Cambodia and reach home safely. First thing I did was to give a nice hug to my girlfriend. Miss her so much. Then went to the Mamak stall and had a good Malaysia dinner.

I find that this trip has been a blessing to me. In one way or another, I have learned my weaknesses. I found that I am not that independent after all. In many times, I will feel fearful. I have to learn how to overcome myself for the mission that has been prepared for me.

I hope that my journey has encourage you to take part in a mission trip. It is not that difficult nor it is easy. One thing I know, you will definitely learn something new. May God bless you and have a wonderful day.

The End.

Day 13

Well, today I went to Central Market again to buy some more stuffs for my friends and family. I am blessed to have Sophy to go with me cause you will be paying double or triple if you bargain as a foreigner. Got what I wanted and head back to Agape.

Don't have much to do, but simply resting and preparing to go back to Malaysia tomorrow. Time past really fast and it is faster when you are mising somebody. I think this trip has add a lot of values to me and to the people here.

In the evening, we had dinner together. I suppose to go night market with Sothy, but we had a long dinner, so I decided to cancel it. We talk and talk and talk as we eat our last dinner together. We have spend 2 weeks together, and I am glad that everything went smoothly and God has been great to us.

Although I am in Cambodia, I am very much aware of what is happening in Kuala Lumpur. I hope the choir sing their best and many people will be touch by the message. Sunday will be Easter for Malaysia and I pray that our church will be jam packed with people.

In Cambodia, I don't expect that to happen for tomorrow cause most of the people has already left, went back to their hometown for New Year Celebration. Nevertheless, hope for the best, and God will do the rest!

Today is extremely hot as I couldn't really sleep. Spend my night browsing the net cause really up here. Or maybe I am too excited to go back to KL tomorrow.

Nevertheless, may God bless everyone who follow this blog so far, and hope that my journey in Cambodia gives you some ideas of what a short term mission trip is. It is not as difficult as you think, if you are here for short term.

I am really thank God for all the missionary who work hard in Cambodia. If you plan to do long term mission work here, frankly, it is not easy. Nevertheless, God has been faithful to us and to the people here. I pray that what we are sowing today will bear much fruits, that could even surpass what we have been doing all this while. With all the visions, strategic planning and training in Cambodia, I can see that God is doing something wonderful for this nation.

Well, tomorrow I will be back to KL. See you guys there in KL tomorrow.

To be continued (Last episode next) ...

Day 12

Time pass really fast. Today is the 12 days I am here, which means three more days I will be back to Malaysia. I miss my girlfriend a lot, and got a lot to tell her.

Today we have a short reflection sharings in our teachers' devotion. We share our happiness, frustration and sadness in First Kid Cambodia.

Then in the afternoon, I with a group of teachers went out to have ice-cream and tagaluk again. This time we go to another shop, which is cheaper and taste the same. We have a wonderful time fellowship together.

Then we also have our meeting, carrying from last week, we continue to improve the ministry in Cambodia.

At night, we have small group at Han's place. He has a beautiful house. We has pizzas and pasta for dinner. "Nyum Nyum!" Then follow by a small group meeting.

I am quite tired by now. Add the pictures another time.

To be continued ...

Day 11

Today, I am given to priviledge to attend Cambodia Bible Institute Graduation Ceremony. Their ceremony is similar to our BCM Graduation Exercises. Just that everything is in Cambodia language, including the missionary will also speaks Cambodia language.

I finally meet up with Pas. Kala (I am not sure about the spelling). It seems she knew a bit about me, being the young pastor. Not sure is good or bad, but leave it to her.

In the morning, I gave the teachers a simple study test on the four lessons that I have taught them in the last few days. Well, it was a fun test, cause I design the test in a way they never thought off.

I also attended Sothy's small group again. Going to miss them a lot when go back to Malaysia.

To be continued ...

Day 10 - Shopping Day

I have been here for ten days. Another fascinating day have just begun. I think from now, I will cut off all the usual routine and gives you the highlight of the day.

Today devotion topics for the teacher is "Baptism". We had a revision on baptism, and I promise to give them a simple study test tomorrow.

After devotion, I went out with Sophy and Thavy for breakfast. Oh, I love the fried Cambodian noodles. It is like our "Yee" noddle in KL.

Today, we also went to four different places for "SHOPPING"! First we went to the Russian Market to get all the Cambodian Shirts for my family members. Then we went to the Central Market. After that we went "Orusai" market. Finally we ended at Sorya Shopping Mall for lunch.

After lunch, head by to Agape and rest. So, today is Shopping Day for me.

Didn't manage to snap pictures today, cause I was too busy buying stuffs. Tomorrow I will be attending Cambodia Bible Institute graduation. Looking forward to tomorrow.

To be continued ...

Day 9

Today, early in the morning, follow my usual routine, fix my Milo and then have the devotion time with the teachers. Today topic is about "Faith". After devotion, went back to my room to do some reading. Today, I read on "Pastors' Temptation". Really draw my attention how a pastor can fall into, especially missionary.

After reading, I continue to design the new believer for Cantonese Service in First AG, KL. I am trying to design a simple and practical course as a follow-up program for the new believer. I find that Purpose Driven Youth is using "Fresh Start" program for new believer. Spend an hour studying it and modifying it to fit into our context.

Well, after that, feel a little boring, I turn on the computer game. Have a short game on "Dota" (The only game installed on my computer). After game, I went to next door to have my lunch.

After lunch, have a nap. Then continue with another game. After that, prepare to go to the Starbuck-alike shop (is called Terrace Cafe) for a drink and wifi. Sothy came to meet me, and we went to Terrace Cafe together. We had a good chat and we left at 3.45pm.

I went back to my room, sweep and mob the floor. Then clean the toilet and do my laundry. Sweat flows like river, and it feels so good.

After that, take a shower, and went to next door to get ready for dinner.

During this week, many students already went back to their hometown. So, not many came for class today. At 8.00pm, we had our dinner. Natasha, Charleen and I have a short chat. Then by 9.15pm, we went back to our rooms.

Thank God for protection and He is so good to me.

To be continued ...

Day 8 ...

So fast I have been here more than a week. Time flies with all the traveling. However, today time seems to be slow.

I suppose to travel down south with Sothy to a place call Kampong Soam, but something happened with his wife, so we have to call off the trip.

As usual, I wake up at 6.00am. Prepare myself and go to the teachers devotion at next door. Today topic is about "Repentance". A serious yet essential topic that is fundamental to our faith in Jesus Christ. After the devotion, I went back to my room.

Do some reading on my computer. But after that, I realize I don't have anything to do next. I remembered there are some video files in my portable hard disk. So, I plug my hard disk into my notebook, and watch the entire series of Prison Break Season I.

Then at 12.00pm went to next door for my lunch. After lunch, came back to my room, and rest. after a short rest, I watch a series of Keyboard Training. I guess this is my only time, seated on the sofa and went through some keyboard training videos. After that, I sleep like a pig till evening.

Then at 4.00pm, I decided to walk around the town. So I went out to the street and start walking to nowhere. As I walk, I continue to pray and watch. I walk almost an hour, then walk back to Agape Church. I missed one of the junction, and I got lost on my way back. Anyway, in Phomn Phen, you can't hardly get lost actually cause there are only a few main roads. What I did was to come back to the main road to find my way. True enough, I found my way back to Agape safely.

I went back to my room, feeling hungry, cooked instant mee for myself. Then while eating I watched John Mayer concert and listen to Pastor Kong Hee sermon on "The Basic Human Needs" until dinner time. Then have dinner at next door. After dinner, came back to my room and start surfing and blogging.

Sophy and her sister went back to Battambang do some registration. No one to bring me out. My camera is out of battery again. So got to buy battery tomorrow. Everything went smoothly, thanks for your partnership in prayer.

To be continued...

Day 7 - The Lord's Day

I wake up at 6.00am. Still early for the Sunday Worship which start at 8.00am. Get myself ready and prepared for the sermon. Then at 8.00am, went down for the worship service. The weather seems not too encouraging as there were dark clouds all over.

Arrived at the worship service, we had Holy Communion and I preached on the resurrection of Christ. Praise God, the weather turns to be good and we have a wonderful time of fellowship after the service. Not to forget, mangoes were served as refreshment.

Then after the service, we prepared to go for baptism. This round we have four people decided to baptize! Praise God! We went to the nearest resort which is the Long Beach Resort to use their swimming pool for baptism. It was a great moment for them. After baptism, they will swim in the pool. But it was too hot for me, so I decided to go back to church.

Sophy and I together with the Baptism Candidates

Baptism at the swimming pool.

After baptism, I went back to church. Got my notebook with me, and I walk to the cafe (starbuck-alike), and enjoy myself there. It is a Sunday, and my another half day break. Spend 2 hours there, enjoying the air conditioner with my ice choclate while surfing the internet. What a day!

Then around 2pm, my eyes getting tired. Went back to Agape, and lay my head on my bed. Sleep till 4pm, I woke up and find things to do. Listen to one of my sermon collection, a sermon by Pastor Kong Hee on "Word of God". Got to keep myself spiritual nourished and build up.

at 5.00pm, we have a small group in Agape with the church members and staff. They are going through a series of new believer lessons. After that, I went back to my room and prepare to go for dinner. I asked the church staffs to go dinner together for tonight.

We decided to take a "Tuk-Tuk" to Sorya (the first shopping mall). Had our dinner there and walk about in the mall. As usual, I don't buy anything from the mall, but two of our sisters bought cloth for themselves. After that, we head back with "Tuk-Tuk" as well.

It was a fun journey and we enjoy ourselves. Back to our Agape, I decided to watch a movie with them (so call bonding the relationship). So, we borrow a vcd from neighbour and watch it. It was a Thai-Korean movie, but overdub with Khmyer. I am guessing the whole show, but the act is quite easy to catch. They really enjoy themselves.

After the movie, everyone went back to their rooms to rest for the day, while I am blogging here. The weather for tonight is cooling. Hope it will rain tonight.

Day 6 - half day rest

Another adventure is going to begin. This morning, the worship team is going to have their bible study and practices. I woke up at 6.30am because no teacher devotion for today. Get myself ready, and as usual, fix myself a cup of Milo. Then went down to meet the worship team at 8.00am. Their worship team is guided by Charleen and a local music producer. In term of music skills, I think they are still learning and trying to be better. Since I will be here for 2 weeks, can't do much with the team, but only advice them not to neglect their spiritual life as worship team members.

Then at 9.00am, I have the honor to lead a new teacher to Jesus Christ. Immediately, the new teacher together with 2 more people attended baptism class with me. Then later, another young man attended baptism with Sophy. All together there will be 4 people going to baptize tomorrow. Praise God for that!

Then after the classes, they actually planned to go for lunch fellowship at a boat. To my surprise, they actually rent a boat nearby "Ton Le Sap" river, and bring our food there. It was a nice experience to have our lunch fellowship on the boat together. We have fun time there. The charges is USD$30 per hour. The boat can fit in more than 30 people.

There are boats for rental. USD$100 for a day trip.

Me taking picture with church members and workers in the middle of Ton Le Sap River.

Then by 12.00pm, we are back to Agape Assembly. The weather is extremely hot, and cause me to be drowsy. I took a nap, and wake up at 2.00pm. Work on my sermon till 5.00pm. Then went down to chat with Sophy and some other sisters. They were preparing to attend the wedding dinner as well. For ladies, they will wear as though they are going to ballroom dancing. For men, wear as thought you are going to see the prime minister.

My bad, I didn't bring my leather shoes. So, I wear my chinese shirt, my brown slacks and sport shoe (Ouch!). So, while waiting for Sothy to come and pick me up, Sophy invite me to have local cuisine opposite the church. Well, it is little duckling egg. The duckling actually is already in form, and they steam it. It taste quite nice, although you can see the little body parts of the duckling, but looks like food to me. Sophy said will buy more "funny" stuff for me to try, like snake and tarantulas?

Oh poor little duckling... But it is tasty.

At 6.00pm, Sothy arrived to pick me up. We went to the wedding dinner at a restaurant nearby the river. Everyone was well dress except me. In Cambodia, they are very particular with the dress you wear for occasion such as wedding. They will compare their dress that determine their status and fame. I became the joke of the day. Well, I don't really bother anyway, just eat and go. The food is not too bad, but the portion is quite small. In Cambodia, usually they give USD$15 as "ang pow" to the marriage couple, so I just follow.

This is what you are expected to wear for ladies.

My good friend Sothy and I. He is the one who brings me around after David left.

After the dinner ended, Sothy send me back to Agape. Tomorrow I will be preaching, so better sleep early tonight.

To be continued ...

Day 5 ...

Another exciting day began to embark at 6.00am. Today I woke up at 6am and have a short body workout. Then fix a cup of Milo and went to First Kid for teachers' Devotion. I have been thinking of giving some variations to the teachers devotion, so I decided to make Friday as Prayer Meeting.

After having a prayer meeting with the teachers, I went back to get ready for village visitation. Sothy invite me to join him to visit a small group which located in a village. I agreed because I would like to know more about their lifestyle in the village. But before the visitation, I brought Sophy out for breakfast. Then at 8.30am, Sothy arrived.

We are on the motorbike for more than an hour to reach our destination. My butt almost flatten (already so flat, now is like Sony Wega). The village life is simple and the people are extremely friendly. Spend some time there talking with the villagers. I think Sothy's church is trying hard to plant a church there. However, I think they really lack of resources and strategic plan in building up the community.

The village is quite poor, and lack of medical support. Any doctors out there willing to contribute your expertise?

They eat all kind of food. Snake, eel and frogs.

Pre-school started by Sothy's Church in the village.

Then around 10.30am, we leave the village and heading back to town. We went to KFC to have our lunch. The KFC is started by Malaysian as well. Good business, the food similar to Malaysia KFC, but the chickens are smaller.

After lunch, we went to another shopping mall which is just nearby. It was the second shopping mall. It was better than the shopping mall that we went yesterday. I bought nothing there as well, cause nothing special, whatever is there, I can get it in KL in a much cheaper rate.

The second shopping mall in Phonm Phen

After that, Sothy send me back to Agape and invite me to a wedding (his church member is getting married tomorrow). Well, I have not seen Cambodian wedding before, so I agreed. Tomorrow 6.00pm he will come and fetch.

I went back to my room, took a shower (I am full of dust, travelling for 2 hours on a motorbike, what you expect). Then take a short nap. At 3pm, I went down to check out their mime practice. They are doing very well, and the mime is very good. Then at 4.00pm, head by to my room for a final round of prayer. These few days the weather is not consistent, and keep raining. Praying very hard for good weather.

Good Friday program start at 5.00pm. The weather is very good. No rain and is not too hot either. Praise God for good weather! By 5.00pm, only a few people arrive to our church. However, at 5.30pm, it is full. According to Sophy, we have more than 200 people turned! Praise God!

The service is at the front of the church. Jam packed!

We have praise and worship to start off the good Friday service. Then follow by 2 mimes and song presentation. Cambodian really can act and sing, they are really good at it. Then by 6.15pm, it is my time to preach the Word of God.

I give it all that I have. At one hand, trying to keep the message simple, at the same time to keep my exposition correct. At 6.45pm, I give the altar call challenge. I challenge those who would like to accept Jesus into their life to respond by raising hand and moving to the front. When I first invite them to raise their hands, many hands were raised. Then when I call them to come to the front, some hesitated, but many came. Because it was so many and we didn't expect it, so we didn't really count the number of decision makers. But roughly, around 15 people to 20 people. Really praise and give thanks to God for His work among the people.

People are responding to the Word of God. Inviting the God of Peace into their life.

I asked Sophy to lead them in prayer in Cambodia language. God is working in their life. Then we end with another song presentation by a teacher name "Von". After that, Natasha prayed for the food and everyone move into the church for dinner.

People rush to the altar to accept Jesus as their God.

The food are excellent! We have beef curry with Cambodia mee and bread. Too bad that my camera no battery at that moment, so didn't manage to get some captions. We didn't actually expect that much of people, but praise God, our supply of food is more than enough to feed everyone. There is left over that we can give to the street kids.

After dinner, they started singing and dancing. Oh, Cambodians really love music and dancing. I am thinking that we should organize a singing or song composing competition next year. It will be a great event for them.

Then finally at 10.00pm, we clean up everything and back to our room. Everyone is so happy. I think tonight event is historical for the church. Everyone give their best, the presentations were great, the food were excellent, and everyone is dead tired. But what I hear at the end of the day? "Tonight is wonderful", "I am so happy tonight", "Although is tired, but it is worth it", and more positive comments. I think this is what Bill Hybels said, they found a holy discontent, that they are willing to sacrifice for the cause of it. And the best part is, most of the work are done by the local people. I see a great potential in the young adult here in this church.

Tonight shall sleep well, and wait for another exciting day to come.

To be continued ...

Day 4 ...

Today is the fourth day in Cambodia. Still fresh and healthy. Don't worry about me, I am adapting to the environment quite well. Beside the bugs keep targeting me, everything is just fine.

Today journey is quite something. My good old friend, Sothy promised to bring out today. So, I wake up early in the morning at 5.30am to prepare for devotion. Actually I couldn't sleep very well cause the coffee yesterday keep awake till 2.00am. After I wake up, I have a simple body workout. Got to keep my body strong and healthy. Fix a cup a Milo and took a cooling bath.

6.30am, I had the devotion with the teachers at First Kids. Started Lesson 1 of Basic Principles of Church Life. Then after the devotion, went back to my room to prepare for the day trip.

8.30am, Sothy arrived at my place, and we went for breakfast together. Tried the "egg" mee, quite nice, like our dry mee in KL. Then we go to our first station, the "Killing Field". This was not exactly the killing field which is quite far from the town. But this used to be a school, but during Poh Pot regime, it was converted into a prison and torture chamber. It is a freaking place.

This board was place in the front of the School

Behind is the prison block

Don't want to write so much on it cause I am blogging at night now. Then after that we go for lunch at a Cambodia Coffee House. Cambodia rice is really nice. It is not too soft, nor too rough. After lunch, we went to the largest shopping mall in town. Walk through the whole shopping complex, but some stuff and we head on to our next destination.

We then proceed to the King's Palace. Not like Malaysia Palace where the tourist can only view from the gate, the Cambodia Palace is actually open for tourist to enter. It is a large palace, and we are allowed to enter the common area only. But it already took our entire afternoon.

It was a grand palace. Gold and Silver were everywhere.

Nearby the Palace there are some local cuisines. Guess what is it?

This clock is at the center of Phnom Phenn.

After that, we go back and have a short rest. Well, I am so tired and took a short nap. In the evening, I went to join Sothy's small group which is nearby Agape Church. After the small group, we are suppose to have a wonderful dinner together, but unfortunately rain pour down like no body business, so we just went to a nearby restaurant and had our dinner.

We talk and talk till the shop is emptied. Then, no choice but we got to leave the restaurant. The rain is still drizzling, so we didn't go for Tagaluk. Head by to Agape to finish my day.

I am glad to hear the struggles of my good old friend. To hear and understand the AG situation here in Cambodia. I pray that tomorrow Good Friday service will be a powerful service. Do pray for us that the weather will be great!

To be continued ...

Day 3 ...

Well, I have been in Cambodia for more than 48 hours. Early in the morning at 6.30am, I follow the First Kid School Van to Bro. David's office. Have my breakfast there together with the staff. Then, continue with a devotion time. After the devotion, my mission to the village church began.

Bro. David, Sophy and me depart from the office to our branch church in the village. It took us some time to reach to the village. Our church is actually located at the end of the village. It is a nice and serene place. The church is surrounded with paddy fields.

Our Church in the Village

There are plantation in the Church

Bro. David share with me about the future plan of that church. It certainly have great potential for that small little church at the end of the village to become a powerful village model church.

There is a pond which needed to be filled.

After visiting the church and the pastor, we continue our journey to Cambodia Bible Institute which is nearby the Airport. When we reach there, is around noon. We meet up with Pastor Ken who is the Deputy Superintendent of the Assemblies of God Council Cambodia. We had a long discussion, sharing thoughts and ideas. After that, we went to a shop nearby Agape Assembly for lunch.

Bible Institute of Cambodia

After lunch, we went back to Agape. Took a short rest, then have a meeting with First Kids Staffs and Church Staff, I call them the powerpuff girls (Charleen, Natasha, and Sophy). Cause in reality, they work non-stop like powerpuff girls. We had a long meeting, discussing the matters of the church and school.

Then after the meeting, I went to my room to pray. After prayer, again I clean up my room. Sweep and mob the floor nice and clean. Feel a little hungry, cook the mee cup.

Suddenly, Bro. David turn up. Two of us went to the starbuck-alike and enjoy the air-cond and wifi there. By 7pm, we went back to Agape for our dinner. After dinner, Bro. David brought us to a place for "tagaluk" (i am not sure the spelling, but that is how it sounds to me). Basically is a ice-blended fruit punch. Excellent taste!

Free wifi. There is Caramel Frappucino as well.

Tagalok. Mine added Durian as well.

Now that I am blogging, the weather suddenly change, and the storm seems to be coming. It is cool and windy. It is so nice, and I am feeling the breeze that is flowing from the window in front of me.

Tomorrow morning I got to teach the teachers on Basic Principles of Church Life. Got to sleep early then.

To be continued ...